SIBU: United Sibu Division and Meradong District Petty Traders Association said from 2019 until now, the economic downturn, followed by the Covid-19 pandemic, had caused businesses in all fields to suffer.
“We, as hawkers, have been badly hit as well. This has greatly affected our income in the trade,” said president Chiong Siong Nguong.
He was speaking at the association’s annual general meeting here on Monday (Sept 21).
However, Chiong pointed out that he was pleased the government had stepped up preventive measures to combat the pandemic.
At the same time, he said the government had given out monetary assistance to help traders weather this difficult period.
“Although cases of infection have dropped considerably, the people still have to be cautious in the current RMCO period and must continue to adhere to the SOPs.”
On another matter, Chiong said traders at the Sibu Central Market would soon go cashless by utilising Sarawak Pay.
“We must keep up with the times as this has become a global payment mode,” he said, adding that hawkers should embrace digital economy so as not to be left behind.
